Copyright: ® FTP Software, Inc. 1995. All rights reserved.
Citation: ® Copyright FTP Software, Inc. 1995. All rights reserved.


Dialer Help Contents

Overview

Step-byStep Instructions

Concepts


Introduction

What is Dialer?

Getting Started


Step-by-Step Instructions

Connecting to and Disconnecting from a Remote Host

Connect to a Remote Host

Disconnect from a Remote Host

Defining and Modifying Connections Using the Simple Dialer

Copy an Existing Connection

Define a New Connection

Define a SLIP Connection to a Service Provider that Returns Multiple IP Addresses

Delete a Connection

Modify or View Connection Information

Use the Dialer Connection Wizard

Using the Advanced Dialer to Define and Modify Connections

Copy an Existing Connection Using the Advanced Dialer

Define a New Connection Using the Advanced Dialer

Using Script Files

Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Convert a Non-SLANG Script to SLANG

Copy an Existing Script File

Copy a Scripts Output

Create a New Script File

Delete a Script File

Disconnect from a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Edit a Script File

Start a Connection from a Command Line

Using Dialer's Advanced Features

Connect to a Remote Host Manually

Disconnect from a Remote Host Manually

Send Commands to Your Modem Manually

Set Configuration Options

Troubleshooting

If the Dialer Fails to Connect Automatically the Second TIme

If the Dialer Hangs Up While Connecting


Concepts

What are the Layer Indicators?

What is a Dialer Command Line?

What are SLIP and PPP?

What is a Dialer Script?

What is an Internet Access Account?

What is the Progress Monitor?

Advanced Dialer Commands

The Connection Menu

The Edit Menu

The Options Menu

The Script Menu

Dialer Modes

Advanced Mode

Manual Mode

Simple Mode

Teach Mode

Dialer Simple Mode Main Windows

Dialer Simple Mode: Defining Your First Connection

Dialer Simple Mode: Main Window


What is Dialer?

Dialer lets your PC connect to the Internet using a telephone and modem, an ISDN interface, or a dedicated serial line. Dialer supports both PPP and SLIP serial network interface protocols.

You can use Dialer to connect to the Internet through a network access account with an Internet service provider, or through a network access account that your system administrator established for you on a remote host machine at your workplace.

When you connect to the Internet through an Internet service provider, the remote providers machine actually provides the Internet connection itself.

You can minimize network access charges by defining an automatic network connection (also known as dial-on-demand). When you configure your network connection with Automatic Connection enabled, Dialer connects to the network only as needed by your network applications. Your connection will automatically terminate when there is no network activity for a specified time interval.

Note: Dialer must be running for dial-on-demand to work.

Dialer can establish the connection either automatically (using scripts that you write or that Dialer writes for you with the Connection Wizard) or manually (using modem commands that you type each time you connect).

You can

•	Define new connections, copy existing ones, and delete connections.

•	Create new scripts, copy existing ones and edit them, and delete scripts.

•	Start and stop the execution of scripts.

•	Copy the output of scripts to the Windows Clipboard.

•	Configure the serial port, PPP, and VJ settings.

•	Display or hide the status of the connection.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Define a New Connection

Getting Started

Simple Mode

What are SLIP and PPP?

What is a Dialer Script?

What is an Internet Access Account?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Getting Started

Before you start using Dialer you should ensure that

•	You have a PPP or SLIP network access account with an Internet service provider (such as Portal or MCI) or you have a SLIP or PPP account on a computer at your workplace.

•	You have configured a physical connection between a communication port on your PC and a  telephone (and modem), an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, or a dedicated serial line.

Note: If you use use ISDN, you must first install an ISDN interface card that supports a WinISDN interface on your PC, and establish an ISDN account with your telephone service provider.

To define a connection to the network, Dialer needs the network access account information that your Internet service provider or the system administrator at your workplace gave you, and

•	Telephone settings (Touch-Tone or Pulse).

•	Serial line information (modem settings or ISDN speed settings).

If you used the Internet Registration Wizard to register with an Internet service provider, you can connect to the network by clicking the Dialer icon that it creates for you.

If you did not use the Internet Registration Wizard to register with an Internet service provider, and you want to dial in to the network, you must use Dialer to define a new network connection.

Related Topics

What is an Internet Access Account?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


What are SLIP and PPP?

SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) and PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) are serial line protocols that let your PC communicate with remote hosts over the Internet using a telephone line (and a modem).

Your network service provider (or the network administrator at your workplace) usually specifies which serial protocol to use. You need to specify whether you are using SLIP or PPP when you define a connection using Dialer.

Note: When you communicate with remote hosts over a serial line, both hosts must use the same serial line protocol.

In general, SLIP is simpler and less reliable, and PPP is more complex and more reliable.

Use SLIP in network environments where there is minimal risk of data corruption and where data transfer speed is critical.

Use PPP when you need to

•	Minimize recovery time in network environments that might not take other measures to protect against data corruption.

•	Use connection management options such as automatic timeouts and PAP/CHAP user authentication.

•	Configure your connection with an unknown IP address.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


What is a Dialer Script?

A Dialer script is a set of instructions (written in the SLANG scripting language) that let you automatically send, display, save, or manipulate information that is transmitted to or from your PC over your serial network connection.

You can use Dialer scripts to customize your network connections (such as to respond automatically to prompts coming from the remote host).

Dialer lets you save scripts in uniquely named script files that you can automatically execute when you make a particular network connection.

When you connect to the network using a script file, Dialer automatically executes (interprets) each SLANG command in the script in order.

Use the Advanced Mode dialog box to connect to the network automatically using SLANG scripts.

You can monitor the script as it executes in the Progress Monitor.

To learn more about scripts and the SLANG™ language in which they are written, visit the FTP Software home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.ftp.com/. Look under Technical Support for the SLANG documentation.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Disconnect from a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


What is an Internet Access Account?

Before you define a network connection using Dialer, you must establish a PPP or SLIP Internet access account through an Internet service provider (such as Portal or MCI), or through the system administrator at your workplace. When you set up an Internet access account, the account provider will give you information that the Dialer needs to define the network connection.

Note: You can use the Registration application to set up an account for you with any of the supported Internet service providers (such as Portal or MCI), or you can call another provider to set up an account for you. When you use Registration to establish an Internet access account, the Registration application also creates a Dialer network connection icon that you can use to connect to the Internet.

When you use Dialer to define your network connection, Dialer leads you through a series of dialog boxes that prompt you for the account information that your network service provider/system administrator gave you, and for information about your PC and serial connection settings.

Note: In order to communicate over the network, the network service and your PC must synchronize many of the network connection settings.

When you establish an Internet access account (either through Registration or otherwise), your Internet service provider/system administrator should give you the following information at a minimum:

•	A network access telephone number for you to use to connect to the network.

•	The serial protocol to use (PPP or SLIP).

•	A username and password to identify you as a legitimate network user.

•	Guidance on how to respond to prompts from the Internet service.

Depending on the type of service your network service supports, the serivce provider might also give you the following information:

•	An Internet Protocol (IP) address to uniquely identify your computer on the network.

•	A mnemonic hostname that identifies your PC on the network.

•	Up to three Domain Name System (DNS) addresses for resolving references to Internet hosts.

•	If you are using PPP

- The software control setting to use.

- A PAP/CHAP username and password, if your Internet service supports Password  Authentication Protocol (PAP) or Challenge-Handshake Protocol (CHAP).

- The Van Jacobsen (VJ) header compression setting to use.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Advanced Mode

The Advanced Dialer lets you customize Dialer connections using SLANG scripts. You choose the Advanced mode from the Simple Dialer main window.

Use the Dialer Advanced mode to

•	Define connections.

•	Write, edit, and execute scripts.

•	Set configuration options.

•	Monitor scripts in the Progress Monitor as they execute.

•	Display connection status.

•	Display the layer of operation (Physical, LCP, and IPCP).

When you use Dialer to connect to a remote host for the first time, the information you provide in the dialog boxes is stored in a default dial-up script that Dialer automatically executes each time you connect to that remote host.

You can use SLANG to create and customize scripts to

•	Log in automatically when you first start up Windows.

•	Disconnect from a remote host automatically.

•	Process data more efficientlty over the connection.

Use this 	To do this

Configure	Set the configuration parameters for the serial port, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), and Van Jacobsen (VJ) compression, using the Connection Configuration dialog box. You can also use the default values.

Edit	Edit a script or connection using a text editor such as Windows Notepad.

Start Script	Start running the script you chose for your connection. This button becomes a Stop script button after the script begins executing. You can choose this button again at any time to stop the execution of the script.

Manual Mode	Send data directly to the modem or remote host. This button becomes a Stop manual button after you choose it. You can choose this button again at any time to stop Manual mode.

Connection Box	Select a connection.

Script Box	Select a script.

Progress Monitor Box	Monitor scripts as they execute and manually send commands to the modem.

For more information about Dialer scripts and the SLANG language, see the FTP Software® home page. [RUN mosaic.exe (http://www.ftp.com)]

Related Topics

Convert a Non-SLANG Script to SLANG

Create a New Script File

Define a New Connection

Set Configuration Options

What are the SLIP and PPP Layer Indicators?

What is the Progress Monitor?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Manual Mode

The Manual mode in the Advanced Dialer lets you

•	Enter commands sent to the remote host (and modem, if you are using a modem).

•	View commands sent from the remote host.

Manual mode is useful if you need to debug communication through your modem, or if you want to customize SLANG Dialer scripts.

You choose Manual mode using the Manual Mode button on the Advanced Dialer dialog box. This button becomes a Stop manual button after you choose it. You can choose Manual Mode again at any time to stop Manual mode.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

What are the SLIP and PPP Layer Indicators?

What is the Progress Monitor?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Simple Mode

The Dialer Simple Mode lets you connect to the network easily using default SLANG scripts.

Simple mode provides step-by-step instructions for creating PPP or SLIP Internet connections. It guides you through a set of simple questions and automatically adds this information to a default connection script, which it uses to make subsequent connections to the same remote host.

Dialer creates a separate connection icon for each connection you create. To connect to a particular remote host, just double-click its associated Dialer connection icon.

The Dialer starts in Simple mode by default.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Teach Mode

The first time you connect to a remote host using the Simple mode, the Dialer enters teach mode.  In this mode, the Dialer Connection Wizard prompts you for information about how to to respond to prompts for information coming from the remote host. Dialer saves the information that you supply in a default script.

When you reuse this network connection definition (that is when you connect to the network), the Dialer uses the new default script and connects to the network automatically (without prompting you for additional information).

Use the Internet Connection Wizard dialog box in the Simple Dialer to specify how to respond to prompts for information from the remote host.

Related Topics

Use the Dialer Connection Wizard

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


What is the Progress Monitor?

The Progress Monitor in the Advanced Dialer dialog box displays a script as it executes. Any output generated by the execution of the script also appears in the Progress Monitor. To save a copy of the output to the Windows Clipboard, use the Edit menu.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

The Edit Menu

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


What are the SLIP and PPP Layer Indicators?

The layer indicators are troubleshooting tools that let you determine in which layer (Physical, LCP, IPCP) a problem exists. These indicators appear in the status bar across the bottom of the Advanced Dialer dialog box. For SLIP, only the physical layer is displayed because SLIP supports only the physical layer.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

What is the Progress Monitor?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


The Connection Menu

Use the Connection menu in the Advanced Dialer dialog box to create a new connection and give it a unique name. After you save the new connection, its configuration is available each time you choose to connect to a remote host. You can also use the Connection menu to copy an existing connection and delete a connection. You can use only one connection at a time. If you are using a connection, you must close the current connection before you can use another one.

Use this command	To do this

New	Create a new connection and save it under a unique name.

Copy	Copy the selected connection and save it under a new connection name.

Delete	Delete the selected connection.

Exit	Exit from the Dialer program.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


The Script Menu

Use the Script menu commands in the Advanced Dialer dialog box to create a new script, copy or converty an existing one, or delete a script.

Use this command	To do this

New	Create a new script and save it under a unique name.

Copy	Copy an existing script and save it under a new unique name.

A practical application of the Copy command is to copy a script and then edit it to connect your PC to a different remote host.

Delete	Delete an existing script.

Convert	Convert a non-SLANG script(such as one written in COMSCRPT) to SLANG.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Convert Non-SLANG Script to SLANG

Copy an Existing Script File

Create a New Script File

Delete a Script File

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


The Edit Menu

1.	In the Progress Monitor, select the output text that you want to copy to the Clipboard.

2.	From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

What is the Progress Monitor?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Copy a Scripts Output

1.	In the Progress Monitor of the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select the output text that you want to copy to the Windows Clipboard.

2.	From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

The Edit Menu

What is the Progress Monitor?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


The Options Menu

Use the Options menu in the Advanced Dialer dialog box to alternate the on or off state of two options -- Exit On Script Complete and Status Bar -- or to go to Simple Dialer.  A check mark next to a command means that it is in effect.

Use this command	To do this

Exit on script complete	Exit (or not) from Dialer after the script is finished executing.

Status bar	Display or hide the status bar.

Simple Dialer	Go to the Simple Dialer.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Dialer Welcome: Main Window
Dialer Simple Mode: Main Window

Use the Dialer main window to define a new connection, copy an existing connection, modify or view an existing connection, delete an existing connection, connect to the network, show connection status, or use Advanced Dialer features.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host

Copy an Existing Connection

Define a New Connection

Delete a Connection

Modify or Viewing Connection Information

What is Dialer?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Dialer Welcome: Defining Your First Connection
Dialer Simple Mode: Defining Your First Connection

Use the two-button Dialer main window to define your first connection or to use Advanced Dialer features.

Note:  Many of the Dialer connection default settings are determined when you install and configure this product. In most cases the default settings should suffice, and you should not need to change them.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Define a New Connection

What is Dialer?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Define a New Connection

Use the Define a New Connection series of dialog boxes to supply information--such as connection name, modem information, telephone number, protocol information, and IP information--that Dialer needs to define a new connection.

Related Topics

Connect to a Remote Host Immediately

Define a SLIP Connection to a Service Provider that Returns Multiple IP Addresses

Specify a Connection Name

Specify Login Information

Specify Modem or WinISDN Line Settings

Specify Network Connection Type

Specify Protocol and IP Information

Specify a Telephone Number and Automatic Connect Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Define a SLIP Connection to a Service Provider that Returns Multiple IP Addresses

Follow the same basic procedure for defining a connection, and then follow these additional steps:

1.	In the last Define a New Connection dialog box, select Yes in response to the question

"Do you want to connect now?"

2.	Choose OK.

The Dialer Simple Mode dialog box appears for this connection.

3.	Choose Advanced mode to open a window and watch the progress of your connection as it is being made.

When the Status of the connection changes to "Connected," and the Physical connection indicator in the lower right-hand corner of your dialog box changes color from gray to green, WAIT FOR THE DIALER TEACH MODE DIALOG BOXES TO APPEAR.

4.	In the first Dialer Teach Mode dialog box, select Use My Username, then choose OK.

5.	In the second Dialer Teach Mode dialog box, select Use My Password, then choose OK.

6.	In the final Dialer Teach Mode dialog box, select Done, then choose OK.

The multiple P addresses dialog box appears.

7. Choose the correct IP addresses. Refer to the subscription information from your Internet service provider to be certain that you select the correct address.

When the connection script is complete, the following message appears:

Script complete. Done.

8.	Choose OK.

The SLIP connection is ready for use.

Related Topics

Connect to a Remote Host Immediately

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Define a New Connection Using the Advanced Dialer

1.	From the Connection menu of the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose New.

The Create New Connection dialog box appears.

2.	Type the name of the new connection.

3.	Choose OK.

The Connection Configuration dialog box appears.

4.	Configure the settings as desired and, if necessary, choose Advanced and configure those settings.

-or-

Choose Defaults to set the standard options.

5.	Choose OK to save the settings and return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Related Topics

Connect to a Remote Host

Copy an Existing Connection Using the Advanced Dialer

Define a New Connection

Delete a Connection

Set Configuration Options

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Specify a Connection Name

Specify a name for the new connection. This is the title that appears below the Dialer connection icon for this network connection.

You get to this dialog box by choosing the Define a New Connection button on the Dialer main window.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Copy an Existing Connection

1.	Choose the name of an existing connection in the Copy From list box.

2.	Specify the name for the new connection in the New Connection Name box.

You get to this dialog box by choosing the Copy an Existing Connection button on the Dialer main window.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Copy an Existing Connection Using the Advanced Dialer

1.	From the Connection box on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select an existing connection.

2.	From the Connection menu, choose Copy.

The Copy Existing Connection dialog box appears.

3.	Type the new connection name.

4.	Choose OK to save the connection under the new name and to return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host

Defining a New Connection

Deleting a Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Specify the Network Connection Type

Choose Yes to specify if you are using an ISDN line to connect to the network.

Note: If you are using an ISDN line, you do not need to specify a modem type.

Follow these steps, if you are using a modem:

1.	Select the type of modem you are using from the modem list box.

If your modem does not appear in the list, choose one of the Hayes Compatible modem types.

2.	Specify your telephones dialing type (Touch-Tone or rotary).

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Specify PC Modem Port or WinISDN Line Speed Settings
Specify PC Modem Port or WinISDN Line Speed

If you are using a telephone and modem to connect to the network,

1.	Select the port on your PC  that your modem is connected to (for example, COM1).

2.	Select the PC port speed. Choose a speed that is at least as fast as your modem baud rate setting.

3.	 Run the Windows Control Panel to view or change the settings of your PC's communication ports.

If you are using an ISDN line to connect to the network, select 64 kilobytes or 56 kilobytes per second. (Contact your ISDN telephone line provider for the data rate that your telephone line supports.)

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Specify a Telephone Number and Automatic Connect Mode

1.	Specify the Internet access telephone number

Include any prefix that you need to dial to get an outside telephone line.

Dashes separating parts of the telephone number are permitted. For example, to dial a local Internet service at the number 555-1212 from your workplace, enter 9-555-1212 or 95551212 (where 9 is the number used to get an outside line).

2. To configure your connection to dial the network only when network applications need to communicate with remote hosts, select Automatic Connection Enabled (also known as Dial on Demand).

Use this option to minimize network access charges when you connect to the Internet through an Internet service provider. When Auto Connection is enabled, FTP applications automatically connect to the network only when they need to communicate with remote hosts.

When there is no network activity for a specified time interval, the connection terminates automatically or a warning message and prompt appears.

Note: Dialer must be running for dial-on-demand to work.

Follow these steps If Automatic Connection is Enabled:

1.	Specify how much idle time (in minutes and seconds) to allow before the connection automatically disconnects. A value of zero indicates that the connection will remain active until you explicitly disconnect.

2.	Specify if you want to be prompted to extend or terminate an inactive connection.

  - To let an inactive connection terminate automatically without user interaction, specify zero  minutes and seconds (or leave the Minutes and Seconds boxes blank).

  - To display a warning message and prompt when an inactive connection is about to terminate, specify a number of Minutes and Seconds greater that zero.

Note: If you choose to specify a warning time interval, specify an inteval that is less than the inactivity timeout that you specified in Step 1.

When the specified number of minutes and seconds remain in an inactive connection, the Dialer displays a warning message and the following prompt:

Do you want to disconnect?

Choose Yes to let the connection terminate.

Choose No to retain the connection. (This resets both the the connection inactivity and the warning timeout counters.)

Note:  All connection timing is suspended while the warning message and prompt appear.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Specify Protocol and IP Information

1.	Specify the serial line protocol (PPP or SLIP) that your Internet serivce provider/system administrator gave you to use for this network connection.

2.	Specify the IP (Internet Protocol) address (if any) that your Internet service provider/system administrator gave you to use for this network connection.

3.	Specify the DNS (Domain Name System) addresses (if any) that your Internet service provider/system administrator gave you to use for this network connection.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Specify Login Information

1.	If your Internet service provider/system administrator did not give you a username and password to use for your account, choose No.

-- or --

If your Internet service provider/system administrator gave you a username and password to use, choose Yes and specify your username and password in the Username and Password boxes, respectively.

2.	If you are using a PPP account and your Internet service provider/system administrator did not give you a PAP/CHAP username and password to use for your account, choose No.

-- or --

If your Internet service provider/system administrator gave you a PAP/CHAP username and password to use, choose Yes and specify your username and password in the Username and Password boxes, respectively.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Connect to a Remote Host

Choose the network connect icon that Dialer created for the connection.

-- or --

From the Dialer main window, choose the Connect to the Network button.

Note: Before you connect your PC to a remote host, you must have defined a connection.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Dialer Main Window

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Connect to a Remote Host Immediately

Select Yes if you want to connect to the network immediately. Select No, otherwise.

If you want to connect to the network later, you can choose the connection icon that the Dialer creates for this connection.

Related Topics

Define a New Connection

Dialer Main Window

Modify or View Connection Information

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Connect to a Remote Host

1.	From the Connection Name box of the Connect dialog box, select a connection name.

2.	Choose OK.

Dialer displays connection status information while it attempts to connect to the the remote host.

Related Topics

Disconnect from the Remote Host

Use the DIaler Connection Wizard

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Use the Dialer Connection Wizard

The How do you wish to respond to the following prompt? box displays prompts for user information coming from the remote host.

For each prompt, select  one of the following options or enter the appropriate response in the box provided.

To do this	Use this option
Indicate that you have supplied all the information that is being requested.	Done
Use the username you supplied when you defined the connection. If you do not supply a username, Dialer will prompt you for one each time you attempt to connect to the network.	Use My Username
Use the password you supplied when you defined the connection. If you do not supply a password, Dialer will prompt you for one each time you attempt to connect to the network.	Use My Password
Send a carriage return. Use this option if the remote host requires additional carriage returns before it sends a username prompt.	Send Carriage Return
Quit this teach mode session without taking any action.	Abort This Teaching Session
Proceed to the next prompt without responding to the current response. Select this option if the remote host sends a response that is not legible.	Ignore This Prompt and Continue
Related Topics

Teach Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Send Commands to Your Modem Manually

1.	From the Dialer main window, choose the Go to the Advanced Dialer button.

2.	From the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose the Manual mode button.

3.	Type a modem command in the Progress Monitor box and then press ENTER.

For example, if you are using a Hayes-compatible modem, enter the AT command to verify if the modem is working properly.

For more information about your modem commands, refer to the technical documentation that came with your modem

4.	Choose Stop manual after the connection is made.

This procedure is useful if you need to troubleshoot your modem or a remote host connection.

Related Topic

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Manually

Disconnect from a Remote Host Manually

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Modify or View Connection Information

1.	Select the connection to display in the Connection Name list box.

Dialer displays the configured settings for the selected connection definition.

2.	Choose More to display additional information about your SLIP or PPP connection.

The configuration options vary depending on whether the connection uses SLIP or PPP.

3.	To change the configuration of the connection, specify the changes in the appropriate fields in the dialog box.

4.	Choose OK.

You get to this dialog box by choosing the Modify/View an Existing Connection button on the Dialer main window.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Disconnect from a Remote Host

From the Dialer main window, choose Disconnect from the Network.

--or--

From the Dialer main window, choose the Show Connection Status button, and from the connection status window, choose the Disconnect button.

Dialer disconnects (hangs up) from the network, but keeps your connection definition so you can reconnect again later.

Related Topics

Connect to a Remote Host

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Delete a Connection

1.	From the Dialer main window, choose the Delete an Existing Connection button.

2.	From the Connection Name box of the Delete Connection dialog box, select the connection that you want to delete.

3.	Choose OK.

Dialer deletes the connection information and its associated icon.

Related Topics

Disconnect from a Remote Host

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Set Configuration Options

Use the Connection Configuration dialog box to set parameters for the serial port, the communications link, and VJ (Van Jacobsen) compression. You may also set advanced parameters for PPP connections.

1.	From the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose the Configure button.

The Connection Configuration dialog box appears.

2.	Configure the Serial configuration settings on the Connection Configuration dialog box as desired.  Run the Windows Control Panel to view or change the settings of your system's communications ports.

3.	Configure the Link configuration.

4.	Configure the VJ compression.

5.	Choose Advanced to display and configure additional settings.

6.	Choose OK to save the configuration settings and return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Create a New Script File

1.	From the Script menu of the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose the New command

The Create New Script dialog box appears.

2.	Type the New Script Entry Name in the box.

Type a name that is easy to remember, such as dialup. The script filename is provided automatically.

3.	Choose OK.

The Script Editor appears.

4.	Type the script commands.

For more information about writing SLANG scripts, see Product Information on the FTP Software homepage on the World-Wide Web (http://www/ftp.com).

5.	Choose OK to return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Related Topics

Advanced ModeIDH_ADVANCED

Copy an Existing Script File

Delete a Script File

Edit a Script FileIDH_EDITSCRIPT

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Copy an Existing Script File

1.	From the Script box on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select the script filename you want to copy.

2.	From the Script menu, choose Copy.

The Copy Existing Script dialog box appears.

3.	Select the connection to which you want to associate the script.

4.	Type a new script filename.

5.	Verify that the script shown in the Filename for the New Script box is the filename to which you want to save the copy.

6.	Choose OK to copy the script and to save it under the new filename.

Related Topics

Advanced ModeIDH_ADVANCED

Create a New Script File

Delete a Script File

Edit a Script File

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Edit a Script File

1.	From the Script box of the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select the script file you want to edit.

2.	Choose the Edit button.

The Script Editor dialog box appears with the script displayed.

3.	Edit the script.

4.	Choose OK to save your changes and to return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Note: Some text editors (such as Epsilon) might change characters such as single <CR> (carriage return) characters into <CR><LF>. Using an editor that changes characters will break scripts for service providers that return character strings that contain, among others, double <CR> characters. When you use an editor to create or modify Dialer scripts, use an editor that does not change the end-of-line characters.

Related Topics

Advanced ModeIDH_ADVANCED

Create a New Script File

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Convert a Non-SLANG Script to SLANG

1.	From the Script menu on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose Convert.

The Convert Script dialog box appears.

2.	Select the conversion type of the file you want to convert.

Conversion types are listed under Conversion.

3.	Type the filename of the script you want to convert or click the ellipsis (...) button and browse the list of scripts for the name of the script you want to convert.

4.	Type the new script filename (the name that will identify the new script).

5.	Type the filename for the new script.

6.	Choose OK to save the script and to return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Delete a Script File

1.	From the Script box on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select the script you want to delete.

2.	From the Script menu on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose Delete.

Dialer prompts you to confirm the script you chose to delete.

3.	Choose Yes to delete the script and to return to the Advanced Dialer dialog box.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

1.	From the list of scripts in the Script box on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select a script associated with the connection.

2.	Choose the Start Script button.

You can monitor the script's execution in the Progress Monitor.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Disconnect from a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Start a Connection from a Command Line

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Connect to a Remote Host Manually

1.	From the Dialer main window, choose the Go to the Advanced Dialer button.

2.	From the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose the Manual mode button.

3.	Type a command in the Progress Monitor box and then press ENTER.

For example, if you are using a Hayes-compatible modem, enter the AT command to verify if the modem is working properly.

For more information about your modem commands, refer to the technical documentation that came with your modem

4.	Choose Stop manual after the connection is made.

This procedure is useful if you need to troubleshoot your modem or a remote host connection.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Disconnect from a Remote Host Manually

Send Commands to Your Modem Manually

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Start a Connection from a Command Line

1.	From the Windows Program Manager File menu, choose Run.

-- or --

From the Windows Program Manager, click the appropriate Dialer connection icon, and choose Properties in the File menu.

2.	Enter a wdial command in the Command Line box.

Use the following format when you enter a WDIAL command line.

wdial [-c connection][-s script_name [-x]]

For example,

To do this	Use this command
Define a new connection.	wdial
Start the home_to_office connection.	wdial -c home_to_office
Start the home_to_office connection using the get_mail script, and then exit Dialer:	wdial -c home_to_office -s get_mail -x
Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

What is a Dialer Command Line?

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


What is a Dialer Command Line?

You can start Dialer using the WDIAL.EXE command.  This is useful when you want to start DIaler from the Windows Program Manager using the Run command from the File menu.

To start Dialer from a command line, enter a WDIAL.EXE command with this format:

wdial [-c connection][-s script_name [-x]]

where

-c connection	Identifies the name of the connection you want to dial.

The characteristics of the connection are defined in the [pctcp comscrpt connection] section of the PCTCP.INI configuration file.

-s script_name	Specifiies the name of the script to run.

This corresponds to the keyword=parameter in the [pctcp comscrpt connection] section of the PCTCP.INI configuration file.

-x	Exit the Dialer when the script is complete.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Start a Connection from a Command Line

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Disconnect from a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

1.	From the list of scripts in the Script box on the Advanced Dialer dialog box, select the script associated with the current connection that has an automatic disconnect line.

2.	Choose Start Script to begin executing the script.

You can monitor the script as it executes in the Progress Monitor. When the script executes the embedded disconnect instructions, your PC disconnects from the remote host.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Automatically Using a Script File

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Disconnect from a Remote Host Manually
Disconnect from a Remote Host

1.	From the Dialer main window, choose the Go to the Advanced Dialer button.

2.	From the Advanced Dialer dialog box, choose the Manual Mode button.

3.	In the Progress Monitor box, enter the command(s) required for your modem to hang up.

For example, for a Hayes-compatible modem, enter the following commands:

+++
ath

4. Choose the Stop Manual button.

Related Topics

Advanced Mode

Connect to a Remote Host Manually

Send Commands to Your Modem Manually

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


If the Dialer Hangs Up While Connecting

Use the Windows Terminal application to test to verify that your modem is working correctly.

If your modem appears to be working correctly, the problem may be that the modem cable you are using does not strictly adhere to the modem specifications. (The Dialer application requires specific signals on specific pins). Try replacing the cable that connects your modem to your PC-communications port cable, and try to connect again.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


If the Dialer Fails to Connect Automatically the Second Time

The problem might be that the remote host is sending different prompt tests for each connection. For example, the first time you connect, the remote host might send a  prompt that looks like this:

server-3 login:

The next time you connect, the prompt might look like this:

server-4 login:

The Teach mode of the Dialer builds a default script based on your reponses the first time you connect. If the service provider sends different prompt text, the Dialer will not recognize it, and will wait for an appropriate response. To proceed with the connection, enter the appropriate prompt response.

To edit the default script so that you can connect automatically each time

1.	In the Dialer main window, choose Go to Advanced Dialer.

2.	Open the Connection box, and select your connection name.

3.	Choose the Edit button.

4.	Scroll down through the file until you find a line that looks something like this:

(define,input_data,(receive,(phone,timeout),{er-3 login: }))

The sequence of characters between the braces {} are the last 12 characters of the login prompt that the script is looking for (this will differ for each service provider).

5.	Change this sequence so that the sequence no longer contains the portion of the prompt that continues to change.

In the above example, you would change {er-3 login: } to {login: }.

6.	Choose OK.

Related Topics

Teach Mode

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Modifying or Viewing SLIP Connection Information

Use the Modify Connection dialog box to view and change SLIP connection characteristics.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Modifying or Viewing Advanced SLIP Connection Information

Use the Modify Connection expanded dialog box to view and change advanced SLIP connection characteristics.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Modifying or Viewing PPP Connection Information

Use the Modify Connection dialog box to view or change PPP connection characteristics.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


Modifying or Viewing Advanced PPP Connection Information

Use the Modify Connection expanded dialog box to view and change advanced PPP connection characteristics.

Related Topics

Introduction

Step-by-Step Instructions

Concepts


access telephone number
access number: The telephone number you dial to connect to the network. Use a local number to dial the network if you need to minimize network access changes (for example, if you connect to the network using an Internet service provider).


Baud Rate
baud rate: The rate or speed at which data is sent between your PC and modem. Refer to your modem documentation for the baud rate you should use.


Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)
Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP): A PPP authentication protocol that provides a level of security in establishing or verifying your identity to a remote host. CHAP is defined in RFC 1334.


Communications Link
communications link: The physical link between two hosts, such as Ethernet or a serial cable link.


COMSCRPT
COMSCRPT: The scripting language supported by the DOS-only network dialing application.


configuration file
configuration file: A file that saves the configuration option settings for a product or application. For OnNet or Explore, the configuration file is PCTCP.INI. For detailed information about PCTCP.INI configuration file sections and the specific parameters that apply to each section, visit the FTP Software home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.ftp/com/.  Look under the Configuration Parameters Reference documentation.


connection
connection: Information -- such as modem type, modem speed (baud rate), and telephone number -- that Dialer uses to connect your PC to another computer (remote host) over a network. Get this information from your Internet service provider or your modem documentation or both.


Default Values
default values: Predefined values that the program provides and uses when you do not supply a new value.


DNS address
DNS address: A number of the form n.n.n.n (where each n is a value in the range 0 to 255) that identifies the address of a server (computer) at your Internet service provider that translates hostnames into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.


Hardware Flow Control
hardware flow control: A hardware mechanism that synchronizes the transmission of data when the local host or local modem is unable to store the data it receives. You can use hardware flow control with PPP and SLIP. Hardware flow control uses the clear to send (CTS) and request to send (RTS) signals.


Internet Service
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): A set of international communication standards and protocols that are used to send voice and data (including video, graphics, and sound) in digital signals over communications lines.


Internet Service
Internet service: An Internet service allows you to access information -- such as online journals, bulletin boards, and libraries -- on a computer.


Internet Service Provider
Internet service provider: An organization that provides access to their service on the Internet. An Internet service provider gives you the information you need to connect to their service, such as a telephone number and a username. They might also supply additional information, such as protocol (PPP or SLIP), Internet Protocol (IP) address, and Domain Name System (DNS) addresses.


IPCP
Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP): The mechanism that the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) uses to control the Internet Protocol.


LCP
Link Control Protocol (LCP): The mechanism that the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) uses to control a phone line.


Manual Mode
Manual mode: A mode of operation in which you communicate directly with the modem by typing commands in the Progress Monitor box.


Internet Service
modem: A device that translates digital pulses from a computer into analog signals for telephone transmission. A modem provides communication capabilities between computer equipment over common telephone lines.


Output of Scripts
output of scripts: Values returned as a script executes. For example, a script might include variables that are given a value as the script executes. The value returned to the variable and displayed in the Progress Monitor of the Advanced Dialer dialog box is the output of the script.


Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)
Password Authentication Protocol (PAP): A PPP authentication protocol that provides a level of security in establishing or verifying your identity to a remote host. PAP is defined in RFC 1334.


Physical Layer
Physical layer: A set of data and control signals that enable the data to flow from one end of the connection to the other.


Point to Point Protocol
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP): A TCP/IP protocol that lets you communicate with remote hosts using a serial line (such as using a telephone and modem or using an ISDN line). For more information, Search for PPP (and SLIP).


script
script: A set of instructions (written in the SLANG scripting language) that let you automatically send, display, save, or manipulate information that is transmitted to or from your PC over a serial network connection. You can use Manual mode in the Advanced Dialer to manually enter SLANG commands, or your can store SLANG scripts in uniquely named script files that you can execute when you use a defined connection to connect to or disconnect from the network. Use the Progress Monitor of the Advanced Dialer dialog box to view running Dialer scripts.


script file
script file: A named file that contains a Dialer script.


Serial Port
serial port: The port on your PC that you want to use as the interface to a modem or a serial line. You can select one of the following values: COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4.


SLANG
SLANG: The scripting language supported by Dialer. You can use SLANG scripts to automatically perform network operations, such as logging into a remote host or useing remote applications.


SLIP
Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP): A TCP/IP protocol that lets you communicate with remote hosts using a serial line (such as using a telephone and modem or using an ISDN line).

For more information, Search for SLIP (and PPP)


Software Flow Control
software flow control: A software mechanism that synchronizes the transmission of data when the local host or local modem is unable to store the data it receives. You can use software flow control only with PPP. Software flow control uses the XON and XOFF flow control signals.


sysetm administrator
system administrator: (or network administrator) The person at your workplace that is responsible for configuring and maintaining your network.


VJ Compression
VJ compression: A method of compressing serial packet header information so that it is transmitted and stored efficiently.


account name: The name or word that identifes who is billed for this session on a computer system.


case sensitivity: The ability of a program to evalutate the difference between the capitalized and non-capitalized versions of a character. Case sensitive programs treat for example, cat and Cat, as distinct items.

It matters how you enter file and variable names on a case sensitive operating system (such as the UNIX operating system). If you want to view a file named Cat, and you enter the characters cat,  the system displays the file named cat if one exists, or gives you an error message. It does not display a file named Cat. Case sensitivity also effects the way that files are listed when sorted in alphabetical order.

.


filename conventions: A TCP/IP network usually contains computers that run different operating systems. Each operating system has different conventions for naming files. For example, both the number and kinds of characters that can be used in a name are often subject to limits.

When you use some TCP/IP supported services such as telnet and ftp, use the filenaming conventions in effect on the host system to work with files that are on the host.


hostname: The name of a networked computer.

The hostname is one form of the computers TCP/IP network address; the other is its complete numeric network address.You can access a computer by its hostname or its numeric network address.


toolbar: A group of buttons that appears below the menu bar. These buttons let you gain access quickly to the application's features.


IP address: A number that uniquely identifies a networked computer that uses the TCP/IP communication protocol. The Internet Protocol is defined in RFC 791.


MIB-II: The Management Information Base (MIB) database used by an SNMP MIB agent to store information about the network operations of your PC. MIB-II (or MIB version 2) is the second version of the Internet-standard MIB. RFC 1213 defines the format of MIB-II.


packet:

A single network message with its associated header, addressing information, data, and optional trailer. Also known as a "frame" or "datagram".


password: A word or string of characters that you supply in order to login to another system on a network. Systems that accept the username "anonymous" often require you to provide your e-mail address as the password.


permissions: On UNIX sytems, the long file listing (ls -l)  that shows who has access to a file and what rights (read, write, and execute) are given.


protocol window: Some OnNet applications support a window dedicated to displaying the interactions between your PC and the remote host (the protocol). You can display the window usually from a View, Settings, or Options menu.


remote host: A networked computer that makes a service available to other computers on the network. Typical host services include transferring files, printing files, and managing logins from remote users.


SNMP community: A relationship between an SNMP agent and one or more SNMP management stations.


SNMP community name: A unique name shared by the members of an SNMP community.


SNMP message: A packet of data, consisting of an SNMP community name and SNMP commands and operands.


status bar: A message area, typically at the bottom of the application window, that provides information about the component that is currently selected, or the state of the application.


session: A session comprises the interactions between your PC and a remote host  beginning with the initial connection and ending when you or the host explicitly disconnect.

Some OnNet applications allow you to configure sessions, that is, automatically send parameters such as your username and password to the remote host..


TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): A Transport layer, connection-oriented, end-to-end protocol that provides reliable, sequenced, and nonduplicated delivery of bytes to a remote or a local user. TCP provides reliable byte stream communication between pairs of processes in hosts attached to interconnected networks.


time out: A period of time when a connection between a PC and a  host computer is allowed to be idle or unused, or when a PC can attempt to make a connection to a networked host..

When the time period elapses, the host closes the idle connection, or the PC reports that it failed to connect to a host.


UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A Transport layer, connection-less mode protocol providing a (potentially unreliable, unsequenced, and/or duplicated) datagram communication for delivery of packets to a remote or a local user. UDP provides a procedure for a process to send messages to other processes with a minimum of protocol mechanism.


username: A name required for login to a remote system.


wildcard:  A character such as * or ? that represents one or more characters in a filename. In a network, each operating system supports its own wildcard characters and syntax. When you use wildcards on a remote host, follow the conventions that apply to that host.